You’ve taken a proactive step towards healing with a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection, but instead of feeling better, you’re experiencing increased pain. This can be concerning, but at Chattanooga Non-Surgical Orthopedics, we want you to know that this is often a normal part of the PRP healing process. Let’s explore why post-injection pain happens, what to expect, when to be concerned, and how we manage discomfort as your body responds to this regenerative treatment.

Understanding PRP Therapy and the Healing Stages

PRP therapy is a cutting-edge regenerative treatment used at Chattanooga Non-Surgical Orthopedics to address musculoskeletal pain and injuries, such as osteoarthritis and tendonitis. It harnesses your body’s own healing power to repair damaged tissues. The process involves drawing a small amount of your blood, separating out the platelets, and then injecting this concentrated solution of platelets directly into the injured area. These platelets are packed with growth factors that stimulate tissue repair, reduce inflammation over time, and promote healing at a cellular level.

It’s important to understand that PRP injections work by triggering your body’s natural inflammatory response. This means that you may experience increased pain following the procedure as the platelets activate and initiate a temporary surge of inflammation – a necessary step in the healing process.

While this reaction can be uncomfortable, it’s usually temporary, typically subsiding within a few days to a week as your body moves through the stages of repair.

Other Reasons for Pain After PRP Injections

While post-PRP pain is often a normal part of healing, other factors can contribute to discomfort:

• Injection Site Sensitivity: Any injection, especially into joints and tendons, can cause localized soreness. PRP injections involve introducing a needle into damaged tissue, which can temporarily increase pain and tenderness due to the pressure in the area.
• Increased Activity Too Soon: After a PRP injection, it’s crucial to limit physical activity to allow for proper healing. Resuming exercise or strenuous movements too soon can irritate the area, delay healing, and increase pain. At Chattanooga Non-Surgical Orthopedics, we provide detailed post-injection care guidelines tailored to your specific needs.
• Pre-Existing Inflammation or Underlying Conditions: If the injection site was already significantly inflamed before the PRP injection, the additional inflammatory response triggered by the treatment may intensify pain. Conditions like severe arthritis or significant tendon degeneration can contribute to prolonged discomfort as the body works to heal the affected tissue.
• Needle Placement and Injection Technique: The precision and technique of the practitioner administering the PRP injection can influence pain levels. If the injection is placed close to a nerve or in an area with significant scar tissue, it may cause additional irritation.

PRP Recovery Time: What to Expect

For most patients, post-PRP pain typically peaks within the first 48-72 hours and gradually improves within a week. Milder discomfort may persist for a few weeks as the body continues to heal.

It’s important to know when to seek medical attention. If your pain worsens after 10-14 days, your swelling doesn’t improve, or you experience redness, warmth, fever, or signs of infection, please contact us immediately. Numbness, tingling, weakness, or radiating pain could indicate nerve irritation and should also be evaluated by a healthcare provider.

Tips for Managing Pain After PRP Injections

At Chattanooga Non-Surgical Orthopedics, we’re committed to your comfort. Here are some effective tips for managing post-PRP pain:

• Follow Post-Treatment Guidelines: Adhere to our specific instructions regarding activity restrictions, pain management, and recovery timelines.
• Limit Activity: Avoid strenuous movements or high-impact activities after PRP therapy to prevent aggravating the treated area.
• Stay Hydrated and Eat Well: Proper hydration and a nutrient-rich diet support your body’s healing process.
• Avoid Anti-Inflammatory Medications: NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) can interfere with PRP’s healing response. We recommend using acetaminophen (Tylenol) instead, if needed.
• Contact Us: If your post-PRP pain worsens, becomes unusual, or is accompanied by swelling, please contact our office. We’re here to support you at every stage of your recovery.

The Bigger Picture: Long-Term Benefits of PRP Therapy

Experiencing some pain after a PRP injection can be unsettling, but in most cases, it’s a natural and temporary part of the healing process. While short-term discomfort may be frustrating, the long-term benefits of PRP – including improved pain relief, reduced inflammation, increased mobility, and lasting pain relief – are well worth it.

At Chattanooga Non-Surgical Orthopedics, we’re dedicated to helping you achieve lasting relief and improved function through advanced, non-surgical treatments like PRP therapy. Contact us today to learn more and schedule a consultation: 423-499-0003.